Simmons w



S. W. CARPENTER.

Cleaning Gas Retorts.

eeeee ou Patented Dec. 1, 1857.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SIMMONS W. CARPENTER, OF YONKERS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO VILLIAM W.

WOODWORTH, OF SAME PLACE.

CLEANSING GAS-RETORTS.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 18,791, dated December 1, 1857.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, SIMMONS IV. CARPEN- TER, of the town of Yonkers, in the county of IVestcheste-r and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in the Method of Cleansing the Retorts of Portable Gas Apparatus and the Sphons and Pipes Connected Therewith; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The drawings represent a portable gas apparatus substantially as the same is now manufactured and erected by C. R. Woodworth & C0., of New York city, a portion of the apparatus being represented in transverse section.

The nature of my invention consists in removing the carbonaceous matter remaining in the retorts of gas apparatus after the charge is exhausted, also in cleansing the pipes, tubes, and siphons connected with the apparatus of and from any and all foreign deposits formed therein from the tarry and ammoniacal or other vapors or liquor created in the process of manufacturing gas, by

the use of steam or steam generated and applied as follows:

The charge in the retort A having become exhausted, and the said retort together with the pipes B, C, and I), needing to be cleansed, I first heat the retort until the same is of bright cherry red, I then turn the stop cock E so as to shut 0H'2 the connection through the same with the gasometer O, I then introduce water slowly into the retort A, through the siphon pipe S. The water on reaching the heated retort is instantly converted into steam or stam and by the force of its own pressure rushes with great velocity and effect through the pipes B, C, and D, into the siphon box, and escapes through the siphon P. Thus almost instantaneously, thoroughly cleansing every part of the gas apparatus subject to deposits or at all liable to become foul.

I am aware that steam is employed in the manufacturing of gas for the purpose of keeping the retorts and pipes free from carbonaceous deposits, as for example in the apparatus patented and used by N. Aubin, but in such cases the use of the steam is coincident with the generation of the gas, and the whole apparatus is thereby rendered more complicated and expensive, and at the same time, when used in such manner, is of doubtful utility. On the contrary the method invented by me and described above while it is thorough and efficient in effect, it is also exceedingly simple, and almost wholly inexpensive.

I do not claim as my invention the principle of the use of steam or stam as a cleanser of gas apparatus, but

IVhat I do claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- The method or process of the introduction of water directly intothe heated retort (the charge being drawn or exhausted) there to be converted into steam or stam, free to unite with and remove the carbonaceous or other deposit contained in the retort or pipes, substantially in the manner herein set orth.

SIMMONS W. CARPENTER.

VVit-nesses J. A. STOUTENBOUGH, JAMIE F. ToMPKINs. 

